Transporting Device and Storage System

Abstract

The present invention provides a transporting device for a storage system which maximises storage capacity of the storage system whilst remaining scalable and avoiding overheads. The transporting device includes a frame having a Z-direction track and a tray for supporting the container. The tray includes an X-direction movement unit arranged to move the container in an X-direction, a Y-direction movement unit arranged to move the container in a Y-direction and a Z-direction movement unit arranged to move the tray in a Z-direction by way of interaction with the Z-direction track. The transporting device can include a frame having a Z-direction track and a first movement unit arranged to move the container in an X-direction and/or a Z-direction by with the Z-direction track. A second movement unit is arranged to move the container in a Y-direction and/or a Z-direction.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A transporting device for moving a container, the transporting device comprising:
 a frame including a vertical Z-direction track; and   a tray for supporting a container, the tray including:   an X-direction movement unit configured to move the container in an X-direction;   a Y-direction movement unit configured to move the container in a Y-direction; and   a Z-direction movement unit configured to move the tray in a Z-direction by way of interaction with the Z-direction track.   
     
     
         15 . The transporting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the Z-direction track comprises:
 a gear rack; and   the Z-direction movement unit includes a pinion.   
     
     
         16 . The transporting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the Z-direction track comprises:
 four gear racks, each positioned at separate corners of the frame, and wherein the Z-direction movement unit includes four pinions, each positioned at separate corners of the tray.   
     
     
         17 . The transporting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the X-direction movement unit comprises:
 a conveyor belt; and/or   wherein the Y-direction movement unit includes a conveyor belt.   
     
     
         18 . The transporting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the X-direction movement unit comprises:
 an omniwheel; and/or   wherein the Y-direction movement unit includes an omniwheel.   
     
     
         19 . The transporting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the tray comprises:
 an extension unit configured for raising and/or lowering a container from a body of the tray.   
     
     
         20 . A transporting device for moving a container, the transporting device comprising:
 a frame including a Z-direction track;   a first movement unit configured to move the container in an X-direction and/or a vertical Z-direction, wherein movement in the Z-direction is achieved by way of interaction with the Z-direction track; and   a second movement unit configured to move the container in a Y-direction and/or a Z-direction, wherein movement in the Z-direction is achieved by way of interaction with the Z-direction track.   
     
     
         21 . The transporting device according to  claim 20 , wherein the Z-direction track comprises:
 a gear rack; and   the first movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit by a pinion; and   the second movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit by a pinion.   
     
     
         22 . The transporting device according to  claim 20 , wherein the Z-direction track comprises:
 four gear racks, each positioned at separate corners of the frame; and   the first movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit using four pinions each positioned at separate corners of the first movement unit; and   the second movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit using four pinions each positioned at separate corners of the second movement unit.   
     
     
         23 . The transporting device according to  claim 20 , wherein the first movement unit comprises:
 extendable arms configured to achieve X-direction movement; and   wherein the second movement unit includes extendable arms configured to achieve Y-direction movement.   
     
     
         24 . The transporting device according to  claim 20 , wherein each of the first movement unit and second movement unit comprise:
 container supports.   
     
     
         25 . A storage system in combination with a transporting device according to  claim 20 , the storage system comprising:
 a plurality of the transporting devices;   wherein the plurality of transporting devices are arranged in a cluster configured to transfer containers in X, Y and Z-directions.   
     
     
         26 . The storage system according to  claim 25 , comprises:
 a picking station configured and arranged to receive a container transported by a transporting device of the plurality of transporting devices, and including:   means for moving at least one item into the container for transport to another location in the cluster.   
     
     
         27 . The transporting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the X-direction movement unit comprises:
 a conveyor belt; and/or   wherein the Y-direction movement unit includes a conveyor belt.   
     
     
         28 . The transporting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the X-direction movement unit comprises:
 an omniwheel; and/or   wherein the Y-direction movement unit includes an omniwheel.   
     
     
         29 . The transporting device according to  claim 28 , wherein the tray comprises:
 an extension unit configured for raising and/or lowering a container from a body of the tray.   
     
     
         30 . The transporting device according to  claim 29 , wherein the Z-direction track comprises:
 a gear rack; and   the first movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit by a pinion; and   the second movement unit is configured to achieve Z-direction movement unit by a pinion.   
     
     
         31 . The transporting device according to  claim 30 , wherein the first movement unit comprises:
 extendable arms configured to achieve X-direction movement; and   wherein the second movement unit includes extendable arms configured to achieve Y-direction movement.   
     
     
         32 . A storage system in combination with a transporting device according to  claim 31 , the storage system comprising:
 a plurality of the transporting devices;   wherein the plurality of transporting devices are arranged in a cluster configured to transfer containers in X, Y and Z-directions.   
     
     
         33 . The storage system according to  claim 32 , comprising:
 a picking station configured and arranged to receive a container transported by a transporting device of the plurality of transporting devices, and including:   means for move at least one item into the container for transport to another location in the cluster.